Kwara State to Emerge as Africa's Innovation Hub, Says Commissioner

Date: 2024-12-07

The Commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Tourism in Kwara State, Damilola Adelodun, has expressed confidence in the state's potential to emerge as a global hub for high technology and innovation, akin to Silicon Valley in California, USA.

Adelodun highlighted the state's strategic investments in tech infrastructure and innovation hubs, which he believes will attract world-class companies and position Kwara as a leader in the tech ecosystem.

Silicon Valley, renowned as the headquarters for tech giants such as Apple Inc., HP Inc., eBay, and Netflix, serves as an inspiration for Kwara's vision to transform its economy through technological innovation and entrepreneurship.

Speaking about the activities of her ministry, Adelodun said, “In terms of legacy, one of the key projects I have been lucky to head is the Ilorin Innovation Hub. It is more of a large ICT centre, which is arguably the biggest in West Africa. We also have a partnership with IHS Towers, and there is a fund of about N1bn earmarked for the running and for the programmes, training, as well as start-ups and venture capitals that would come here. We have a mandate to at least bring up two unicorns before the end of 2025.”

Reacting to critics who are of the opinion that the state is not a technology hub and should focus on other pressing issues, the young and beautiful government official said, “Interestingly enough, Kwara State has a big tech community. There are a lot of tech businesses started by Kwarans, including Kuda Bank. So, in terms of a tech hub, Kwara is it, and we want it to be the next Silicon Valley. If you think tech, we want you to think Kwara; not Lagos or Abuja. That is the vision for Ilorin Innovation Hub.”

Shedding more light on why the state recently hosted the Best of Nollywood Awards, the commissioner said, “The Sugar Film Factory, where the event was held, is under the purview of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology. People often forget that entertainment and culture have a business element to them. That was why we refurbished the rundown facility, which used to be a sugar factor. The studio is currently equipped for news, podcast and movie productions. We also have a training institute for youths, actors and filmmakers.

“In sponsoring and hosting BON, we looked at the benefit it could bring to the state, especially in terms of showcasing Kwara. I think it was very successful and we are looking forward to have more in the state.

“Many of the actors, filmmakers and creatives who attended the event loved what they saw, and many of them already have plans to do things in the state.”

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Razaq Ayobami Akanbi     Yinka Aluko     Folashade Omoniyi     Zainab Abass     Mashood Dauda     Taofeek Ibraheem     Funmilayo Zubair     Baba Issa Awoye     Folorunsho Alao     Chief Imam Of Offa     Towobola Abdulrahman Toyin     Universal Basic Education Commission     Kolawole Bashirat     Adeleke Ogungbe     Abioye Bello     Afin Descendants Union Of Odo-Owa     Ahmad Uthman     Nurudeen Mohammed     Illyasu Abdullahi     Sarah Jubril     Olokoba     Idris Garuba     Omar Bolaji Gambari     Prince Sunday Fagbemi     Danladi     Jimoh Bashir     UTME     Na\'Allah     Ahmad Lawan     Bola Shagaya     Chemiroy Nigeria Limited     ASUU     Buari Edun     Sarkin Malamai     Michael Nzekwe     Kwara-SAPZ Project     Omotoso     Ben Duntoye     Yashikira     SSUCOEN     Harrison Osauwagboe     Ridhwanullah Al-Ilory     Islamiya Abdulraheem     Shao     Ilorin Talaka Parapo     SSA Youth Engagement     Ganmo     Owu Fall     Labour Party     Titus Suberu-Ajibola     Rotimi Atere     Innocent Okoye     Ilesha-Gwanara     Mohammed Halidu     Olubukola Kifayat Adedeji     KW-GIS     Hassan Oyeleke     Ramadan     Akeem Olatunji     Suleiman Idris     Florence Saraki     Aliyu Salihu     Plat Technologies Limited     Ahmed Saidu Rufai     Baba Idris     Gbugbu International Market     Offorjama     Katibi Ibraheem Adeola     Yetunde Balogun     Ahmed Bolaji Nagode     N-Power     Bilikis Oladimeji     Hauwa Nuru     Arinola Fatimoh Lawal     Bilikisu Gambari     Clement Yomi Adeboye     Ejidongari    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Durbar     Jimoh Akani     Smart School     Bahago     Salman Jawondo     Tsaragi/Share     Chief Imam Of Ilorin     Ahmad Uthman     Otoge     Coronavirus     Mahee Abdulkadir     Sai Kayi     Kwara NIPR     Kamaldeen Ajibade     Quareeb     Dankaka     Abdullahi G. Mohammad     Ajidagba     Pategi     Ibrahim Orire     Shettima Of Ilorin     Olatunji Moronfoye     Kemi Adeosun     Royal FM     Erin-ile     Kayode Issa     Olayinka Oladapo Jogunola     Kwha.gov.ng     Sheriff Olanrewaju     Mogaji Aare     Yaman     Gurei     Saka Saadu     Vishvas KOZ Tractors     Olumide Daniel Ibitoye     Yahaya Abdulkareem Babaita     Ishola Moses Abiodun     Tunde Mukaila Mustapha     COVID-19 Palliatives     ER-KANG Mining Nigeria Company Limited     National Broadcasting Commission     Zara Umar     Marafan Shonga     Ibrahim Gambari     Kwara State Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     Freshvine Nigeria Limited     Split Diamond Interchange     Ilorin Muslim Community     General Hospital, Ilorin     Oke Sunna     Oyedun Juliana Funke     Oluronke Adeyemi     Gobir     Senior Ibrahim Suleiman     Busari Toyin Isiaka     Kwara Liberation Group     Federal Road Maintenance Agency     Oniwasi Agbaye     Senior Special Assistant On Student Affairs     Dele Belgore     HYPPADEC     Oke-Ogun     Balogun Fulani     KWASSIP     Kwara University Of Education     Mubarak Oladosu     Road Transport Employers Association Of Nigeria     Rapheal Ashaolu     Tunji Moronfoye     Usman Yunusa     Yusuf Abdulwahab     TETFUND     Yusuf Aiyedun     SARS     Muritala Olarewaju     Tsado Manman     Jide Oyinloye